Casting aluminum projectiles

[Artilleryman]

Busy day with my friends today recycling scrap aluminum into projectiles for my 10 pdr Parrott.  Next step is machining to final dimensions.

[Cannon Cocker]

Hi Norm,

Why aluminum and not zinc which would be closer to the weight of iron.  What is the "windage" or difference between the bore size and the final projectile.  Is the ring part of the mold that makes the pre-engaged section a piece of the original barrel.

[Artilleryman]

I used aluminum to meet weight requirements when I belonged to the N-SSA.  They increased the limits about 10 years ago, and I started drilling and adding lead to bring the weight up.  We won a number of championships with both weights.  I resigned from that organization, and I now use it for American Civil War Shooters Assoc. competition.  It works very well at 200 yards with light powder charges.   For the long range match at Grayling I use zinc. I use a .020 windage.  All projectiles have to smoothly slide through a 10 inch section of the bore liner.  The base of the mold is not a section of the bore liner.  If the bore liner was used it wouldn't provide enough clearance for loading.

[Cannon Cocker]

I shoot in the 600 yd mountain rifle competition at Grayling.  If you're short crew members I'd be glad to help.  I also have a good scope, mounted on a rock steady wooden survey tripod and could help spot.  That would be a lot more fun than just "waiting my turn for the 600".  Let me know.